Erykah Badu & Darius Rucker, other stars show love to Delawareans on TikTok, IG (2024)

Andre LamarDelaware News Journal

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What's it like to get followed by a celebrity on social media?

There are certainly famous people who are fans of Delawareans.

We've highlighted some of the First State's finest who are followed by folks who have at least 100,000 fans on at least one of their social platforms.

Darius Rucker shows love to rising Smyrna star

Country R&B singer Jovon Newman really came into his own as a solo artist during the pandemic. His TikTok account blew up in 2021, and now has over 114,000 followers.

Newman, of Smyrna, has gotten a bunch of shout-outs and support from big names across TikTok and Instagram social. This includes "The Masked Singer" host Nick Cannon, plus a bunch of country stars like Jelly Roll and Brett Young.

His favorite moment of celebrity recognition is getting followed on Instagram by platinum-selling artist Darius Rucker, who's headlining a sold-out show at the Freeman Arts Pavilion in Selbyville on June 16.

"The biggest thing for me is Darius. That's not to belittle anyone else, even though he didn't say anything [after he followed the account]. I was like, he's not going to follow just anybody. Considering I've been singing his songs and look up to him, to me it's like dang, one of the GOATs is taking the time to at least keep an eye out on you," Newman said.

The rising country singer said it feels like all eyes are on him now.

"Imagine Jay-Z watching you," Newman explained. "It's pressure, for sure. But it's definitely good pressure."

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Erykah Badu, Spice Adams & Jazzy Jeff adore DJ Sophia Rocks

What makes a 15-year-old girl from Dover so special that she's gained followers on Instagram by famous music artists and athletes?

Sophia Clayton, best known as DJ Sophia Rocks, is a prodigy on the turntables. DJ Sophia has been a guest DJ for the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden close to a dozen times.

She's also done celebrity events for Chris Brown, Meek Mill, Dwayne Wade, Lil Kim, plus other big functions like New York Fashion Week.

In 2021, DJ Jazzy hosted the young DJ and her parents at his Bear home for a private event, because he was so impressed with her.

DJ Sophia said it's always a big deal whenever she racks up followers on Instagram, including DJ Jazzy Jeff, singer Erykah Badu and former NFL player-turned funny man Spice Adams.

"Every single time I'm like, 'Oh my gosh, [this person] follows me! There's so many," DJ Sophia explained, while standing near her mom.

"We didn't get the notification that Jazzy Jeff followed us. I remember, because we were so shocked by it."

DJ Sophia said DJ Jazzy Jeff followed her before he invited her to his home. Her dad discovered he was following the teen after one of his videos showed up on Sophia's Instagram feed.

Ken Griffey Jr. is a fan of Mr. Wired Up

Joe Zahn of Wilmington is a TikTok star with 1 million fans, who love his crazy, unpredictable remixes that he often posts.

Zahn is a professional DJ known as Mr. Wired Up, and he creates mashups where he fuses two artists together that you wouldn't expect to hear.

Recent examples include mashups of Jay-Z with Zombie Nation, Bad Bunny with David Banner, and Ye (formerly Kanye West) with The Beatles.

During the COVID lockdowns is when Mr. Wired Up started getting serious about building a following on TikTok, which spilled over onto Instagram where he has close to 300,000 fans.

Zahn said one of his coolest moments is when Baseball Hall of Famer Ken Griffey Jr. followed him on Instagram.

Over the last month, Griffey has shown love to multiple videos from Mr. Wired Up. The most recent video Griffey liked was his mashup with The Fugees over Warren G's "Regulate," on May 31.

"I messaged him right away. I was like, 'Bro, I still have your shoes. I had your rookie card. You need to know that I worship you,'' Mr. Wired Up explained. "He didn't respond, but I got the follow.''

NFL star Eddie George follows Wilmington native

Anthony "Dupree" Walker is used to brushing shoulders with high-profile folks, because he's done a lot of work behind the scenes on reality shows. This includes “VH1 Family Reunion: Love & Hip-Hop Edition” and "Love & Hip Hop: Atlanta."'

Walker is currently a segment producer for the MTV show "Help! I'm In a Secret Relationship!"

He's also a singer with the R&B group Basic Black, which dropped a new album this year titled "Autograph."

One of the prominent entertainers following Walker on Instagram is NFL legend Eddie George, who won the Heisman Trophy in 1995. George is currently the head coach at Tennessee State University.

Walker said it's a treat whenever stars follow him.

"My reaction is a little different, considering that I work in the entertainment industry ... but literally some reality stars, actors and artists follow me," Walker wrote in a direct Facebook message. "It's still humbling tho lol."

India.Arie & Demola bless Holly Oak woman

It was exciting when Holly Oak resident Victoria Adjekpiyede saw Whoopi Goldberg wearing her jewelry on "The View" in 2021.

Adjekpiyede and her daughter, Tejiri Emam, run the online store Tesito Connection, which offers authentic African wares, jewelry, clothing, accessories and more.

But Whoopi isn't the only star who appreciates her items.

R&B singer India.Arie and Afrobeat artist Demola both follow the Tesito page on Instagram.

"Both of these celebrities are so down to earth. It's so unreal lol," Adjekpiyede said in a direct Facebook message.

India.Arie even called the business owner.

"My daughter who is my trusted sidekick ... SCREAMED ... for 5 minutes nonstop lol. [India] left voice messages for us," the store owner added. "She told us she loves our products."

Young Guru & DJ Jazzy Jeff recognize voice actor

Dominick Draper and his wife, Nicole, are rising voiceover stars who have worked with big clients such as Nike, Netflix and the NHL through their business The Voiceover Couple.

The Newark couple has done over 3,200 gigs and their voices have been heard by countless people, including celebrities.

Dominick said it was huge when Delaware artists DJ Jazzy Jeff and Wilmington native Young Guru, a longtime producer and engineer for Jay-Z, gave him a follow on social media.

"It's humbling. It made me feel respected by two legends who have done so much in life and music. Jay-Z has always been my favorite rapper," Dominick explained.

"So, Guru following me and the fact that I have had the opportunity to even sit and talk with these guys, blows my mind sometimes."

If you have an interesting story idea, email lifestyle reporter Andre Lamar atalamar@gannett.com.Consider signing up for his weekly newsletter, DO Delaware, atdelawareonline.com/newsletters.